Pristidae
Sign in to saveSawfish, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of very large rays characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged in a way that resembles a saw. They are among the largest fish, with some species reaching lengths of about . They are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions in coastal marine and brackish estuarine waters, as well as freshwater rivers and lakes. All species are critically endangered.
AI overview
Sawfish are large rays with a distinctive long, flat, tooth-lined snout that resembles a saw, and they live in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide in both saltwater and freshwater environments. All sawfish species are critically endangered, making them an important concern for conservation efforts.
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Taxonomy · GBIF
FAMILY
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassElasmobranchii
- OrderRhinopristiformes
- FamilyPristidae
via GBIF · CC0
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Rhinopristiformes
- Image
- Pristis pristis - Georgia Aquarium Jan 2006.jpg
Show 5 more facts
- P105
- family
Article
29 sectionsContents
- Taxonomy and etymology
- Living species
- Extinct (fossil) species
- Appearance and anatomy
- Saw
- Head, body and fins
- Size
- Distribution
- Range
- Habitat
- Behavior
- Breeding and life cycle
- Electrolocation
- Feeding
- Saw and self-defense
- Relationship with humans
- In history, culture and mythology
- In aquariums
- Decline and conservation
- Fishing for various uses
- Habitat destruction and vulnerability to predators
- 21st century status
- Australia
- Rest of the world
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Sawfish, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of very large rays characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged in a way that resembles a saw. They are among the largest fish, with some species reaching lengths of about . They are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions in coastal marine and brackish estuarine waters, as well as freshwater rivers and lakes. All species are critically endangered.
They should not be confused with sawsharks (order Pristiophoriformes) or the extinct sclerorhynchoids (order Rajiformes) which have a similar appearance, or swordfish (family Xiphiidae) which have a similar name but a very different appearance.